The current situation of Betharram will be the subject of an advanced administrative inquiry, announces Elisabeth Borne – Liberation

The violence persists in Betharram. A new investigation into the private Catholic establishment Le Beau Rameau, current name of Notre-Dame-de-Bétharram was launched this Thursday by the Ministry of National Education, after the publication of the report of an inspection carried out in March. « Students’ testimonies question the actions of two teachers » that we « Cannot accept »And « Other elements » have been « Related during the control carried out by the rectorate » In the establishment in the heart of a scandal of violence committed on children, explains the minister in an interview with the newspaper The cross.

« The control focused on the current situation of the establishment and not on the previous facts »namely the sexual and physical violence that took place in the establishment for decades, said the minister. « Following this report, I will diligent an administrative inquiry for the general inspection » continues Elisabeth Borne, stressing that the report of the control team carried out in March, in reaction to the scandal in Betharram, is matching « A formal notice with an obligation to bring short -term compliance » on problematic points.

Seven inspectors and a technical advisor of social services went in March at the request of the Bordeaux rectorate on the two sites of the institution, which welcomes 500 students in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques. Their report, published Thursday, reports several shortcomings which « Must be corrected as soon as possible »especially in terms of child protection.

He notably calls for « Set up an internal formalized procedure for concerning reporting or information, known to all » for situations of violence. He also reports testimonies from students evoking « Bounding and humiliating remarks » and « Mockery in public »,, « Repeated and regular » from two teachers.

The rector of Bordeaux, Jean-Marc Huart, sent a dozen of « Fleet » to the management of the establishment. According to his mail that AFP was able to consult, they receive in particular the « Control of the honorability of staff »to the treatment of situations of violence, to safety conditions and the development of premises, as well as the content of the lessons provided within the framework of the contract with national education. The rector also points « A time of celebration » compulsory on school time, during the advent period which precedes Christmas, « Which contravenes the principle of freedom of conscience ».

The Bétharram affair embarrasses Prime Minister François Bayrou who was Minister of Education between 1993 and 1997 and had several of his children in Bétharram, while his wife gave catechism lessons. He is accused by the left of having lied about his knowledge of the facts, which he has, on multiple times, challenged.

This inspection report is published on the day of a series of hearings as part of a commission of inquiry into the control of schools, with several testimonies which « Pay point by point » The Prime Minister’s statements, according to the co-rapporteur of the Paul Vannier commission of inquiry (LFI). A Academic inspection commanded in 1996 By the rector of Bordeaux at the time, in response to first revelations, had been carried out at a run in a single day and had rehabilitated the establishment.

Update : at 9:15 p.m., with the formal formulas of the rector of Bordeaux.